The Pixar computer-animated family film Up had a spectacular first weekend at U.S. movie theaters, finishing number one for the period, bringing in $68.2 million, well over ten million dollars more than industry experts had expected.
The film has also received almost universally positive reviews, an astonishing accomplishment.
In short, it’s a hit, and a big hit, with both audiences and critics.
One reason behind the success with audiences may well be a strong concurrence of the filmmakers’ values with those predominating among the American public. To wit, Christianity, and the idea that movies should entertain as well as enlighten.
Megan Basham documents the ideas and approach of filmmaker Pete Docter in an excellent article in World magazine:
Part of the studio’s formula for success, according to Upwriter and director Pete Docter, a professing Christian, is that he and his colleagues don’t concern themselves with thoughts of marketing or box office appeal during the creative process: “It’s not that we don’t think about the audience, it’s just that we think we are the audience, too—we love going to movies. And we think people want to see good movies and be entertained the way we are when we go to the movies, so that’s what we focus on.”
To really entertain, Docter believes that movies—even kids’ movies—have to begin froma place of truth: “In order to have a film affect you it has to have real emotion and resonate in some way with your own life. So even though the stars of the film may be monsters or bugs, you identify with those characters on the screen. You have to have that foundation of truth to have an emotional attachment to the characters.”
That, of course, is a decided contrast with much of Hollywood’s passion for socialist shibboleths, arrogant politicization, and didactic moralizing about political issues. As such, it goes a long way toward explaining the success of both Up and Pixar.
It also suggests that Hollywood may be slowly changing for the better.
–S. T. Karnick
You are so right, Jim. The film is truly beautiful. So funny, yet so full of insights and sympathy for the human race. It’s difficult to compliment it too highly. Yes, all those reading these words should indeed see it.
I hope you are right, Sam, that Up is a sign that Hollywood is changing for the better. The cynic in me says we’ll see fewer anti-American productions in the coming years because, well, Hollywood (like Michelle Obama) is finally proud of its country again. It goes without saying we’ve seen the last Rendition out of Hollywood — for at least the next four years.
Anyway … BE GONE CYNICAL JIM! … that’s better…
I saw Up on opening weekend with my wife. Didn’t plan to see it. Living in Pasadena, CA, I’ve been assaulted by posters for the movie for months. Didn’t intrigue me. In fact, since I’m generally repelled by excessive promotion, the ubiquitous posters decreased the likelihood that I’d see it. I even heard on the radio that the big studio heads were a little mad because the film did not lend itself well to putting tiny dolls into Happy Meals. “We’re leaving tens of millions on the table!” they thundered. Oh, well. Pete Docter decided instead to make an enchanting and unforgettable film.
I couldn’t even really talk about the movie — especially the last bits — on the drive home. If I’m bawling my eyes out, I’m a hazard to myself and others on the road.
The movie is pure magic. And I would still not have seen it if not for the tremendous word-of-mouth the movie has generated. A close friend and discriminating movie fan insisted that I cancel all plans for last Saturday and see it. Period. Must be done.
Same advice applies to everyone reading these words. Plunk down the $10. It’ll be the best Alexander Hamilton you’ve spent at the movies in a long while.